House District 23 will be represented in Salem by Anna Scharf, county commissioners from Polk, Marion, Benton and Yamhill counties decided on Tuesday.
Scharf, a staffer in the office of dismissed representative Mike Nearman (R-Independence), beat out four other candidates: former Dallas City Councilor Micky Garus, former Congressman Jim Bunn, fellow Republican John Swanson and Nearman.
The district sits largely within Polk County and covers Dallas and Independence, as well as a slice of Marion County south of Salem. In Oregon, the party that last controlled a seat in the legislature nominates up to five candidates to fill a vacancy. County commissioners in the area covered by the district get the final vote.
Touting her experience, Sharf told commissioners during the two hour meeting that she and other staffers remained in Nearman’s office after he was expelled on June 10 for allowing protestors into the Capitol because residents of the district “lost their vote, they didn’t lose their representation.”
Nearman faces criminal charges in Marion County for his part in allowing protestors into the building during a December riot. He would not “bring home the bacon” to the district if sent back to his seat but instead would “stand up to powerful people.”
Yamhill County Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer argued against a vote for Nearman, who aided her in her own campaign, noting that House Speaker Tina Kotek, a Democrat, may not allow him to serve on committees or introduce his own bills if reappointed.
“A vote to send Nearman back to Salem is a vote effectively saying we don’t care House District 23 won’t have active representation,” Berschauer said.
Scharf garnered nine votes, Swanson one and Nearman one. Commissioners from Polk and Marion counties all cast their vote for Scharf.
After being sworn in, Scharf will complete the remainder of Nearman’s term which equates to about 18 months.
-Caitlyn May
